Install a Fish Finder in a Kayak
Using a Fish finder can provide you a great help, if are fishing with a kayak. To get the best result from the Fish Finder device, you have to know how to install it on a Kayak. This article focuses on how to install a Fish Finder on a Kayak through some easy steps.
Steps
- Choose Your Fish Finder At first, you have to choose a Fish Finder with essential features, such as, temperature sensor, adequate power back up, high definition image display, etc. Generally, a Fish finder can nicely operate with eight numbers of batteries with AA size, C size or D size. You can also use rechargeable batteries rather than the lead acid batteries with heavy sealed bodies.
- Choose the Position to Fix the Fish Finder Figure out the right place on your Kayak, where you think the Fish Finder can give you the best service. However, while choosing the location, keep in mind that it should not restrict opening way of the front-side hatch or the paddling. The level area in the midst of the foot-wells as well as the rear side of the hatch can also be a good place for placing your Fish finder. After deciding the position of the Fish Finder, you can put some masking tape over the Kayak’s hull and then sketch the outline of your Fish finder’s base. It will help you to drill out the mounting holes at the right positions. It would be better, if you can apply a back plate to give the Fish Finder added strengths. The edges must be rounded off so that it can smoothly enter through the hull.
- Mount the Fish Finder’s Transducer You can mount the transducer of your Fish Finder through several methods. If you want to fish in a water body where the waves are very high, then you must choose the most secured method for mounting the Transducer on your Kayak. You have to choose a perfect position on the Kayak to mount the Transducer. Generally, placing the Transducer on the hull is the most popular as well as secured method. · At first, open the Kayak’s hatch and choose a flat place to mount the transducer. · Second, clean the mounting place properly to remove any trace of dust or debris. · Thirdly, try to make a house for placing the transducer securely. You can apply a pool noodle for making the house. Slice the pool noodles at 2-3 inch lengths along with a sharpie. Now outline the transducer’s shape at the center. Cut out the transducer’s shape using a jagged knife and place the Transducer through the cut-out cozily. · At next, take some silicon or marine goops and apply it in the Kayak’s hull area. Be sure that it does not include any air bubble, as the air bubbles can hamper the readings at great extents. You can also use duct tape or marine goop over the transducer as well as the housing for keeping it safe after drying out of the Goop. After that put the transducer over the goop, and tape it using the duct tape. You can take out the tape, after it starts drying. Wait minimum 24 to 48 hours for the Goop to dry. · At next, pass the cable through a hole. It would be better to apply a watertight system to bring out the wires across the pipe, which is fastened to the top. You need to bring out adequate wire to plug in your fish finder perfectly. · Now place the transducer through the cut off place and screw it across the holes. · After that fasten the pipe across the scupper hole. You have to fasten the transducer minimum one inch beneath the kayak’s bottom. · Now seal that pipe to the Kayak’s bottom applying pipe insulation. And also seal the pipe-top applying a cap.
- Mount the Fish Finder’s Battery You can mount the battery of your Fish Finder through several ways. You need to remember one thing that the battery must be kept dry. If you want to fish on a lake or river where the waves are high, you can put the battery in a water-resistant box, such as, tupperware container or any Pelican case and then, keep it below the Kayak’s deck. As the kayak might face extreme weather conditions, you are recommended to use a secured battery box. It can be mounted on the side space on the Kayak’s center hatch, so that you can access to the battery via the hatch.
- Mount the Fish finder After placing the transducer as well as the battery, mount your Fish finder’s pedestal on the Kayak. At first, drill a perfect hole on the Kayak’s hull for placing the Fish finder’s plug. You can use a stainless steel made socket to screw into the holes of the back plate. The back plate will facilitate to route the wires against the Kayak’s hull. You can also apply a silicone seal in the midst of the backing plate base and the Kayak’s hull as well as over the stainless steel built machine screws, which mounts to the base for preventing any kind of leakage. Moreover, you can use the zip fastening system for attaching the transducer as well as the power cables to the Kayak’s scupper holes so that they are kept apart from each other and do not get tangled with any other fishing gear placed below the Kayak’s deck.
- Test the Fish Finder’s Workability At first, connect the Fish Finder’s battery. Then, plug in your Fish Finder device and check out whether it works properly. If your Fish Finder works accurately during the test, then you will get a correct and clear reading on the screen. You should remember that your Fish Finder will take about one hour time to show accurate temperature reading, as the hull takes time to equalize with the temperature of water. Furthermore, you can adjust your Fish Finder’s sensitivity settings so that the fish identification system can work correctly. However, it is tough to be 100% sure about the perfect workability of your Fish Finder until your Kayak starts flowing over the water surface. If it is not possible, then you can take some ideas about the workability of your Fish Finder by trying it on your drive space.
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